I have been away and now I'm back! I am also pleased with the way the Green Fairy is finally being allowed to fly in the US.

Don't listen to those who would water down ahhh burn up the true history of absinthe, rather research the facts to determine the significance of the Green Fairy. Those who can't do it themselves, get their kicks trying to undermine those who can.

Well put T (regarding the link). It's funny to read that Kübler link from 05' and see the disbelief about legal absinthe; heck, even a few weeks ago I don't think most of us would have believed what has now transpired would happen as quickly as it did.

I can't help but wonder if this whole thing of starting the US off on lite absinthes is going to impact American tastes more than cater to them.

Baby Steps....Most Americans who have even heard of absinthe have no idea what it should taste like, so it would be hard to cater on a general scale. Most of the makers of quality absinthe know that there is a demographic of folks like us that know, expect, and want what is currently available in Europe( and of course, more if some HG'ers can start producing on a small scale). It's just the beginning.

It's not whether the glass is half empty or half full, it's whether you are pouring or drinking.

Umm, Kübler opened the door for Ted. Just because they have not distributed in the US yet doesn't mean they were not approved prior to Ted. They submitted lab samples in March of 2004 which started the ball rolling. Ted did not submit samples until October 2006.

I don't think there's any reason to fear for Americans suddenly developing taste en masse. I'm sure that quality absinthe -- like anything else of quality -- will remain scarce and difficult to obtain, even if it becomes much easier and cheaper than it is now. I won't be very surprised if absinthe lite, while better than Czech et. al. mouthwash, turns out to be the best we can hope to see achieving widespread popularity.

Also, with the door now open, I'd imagine it's only a matter of time before the aforementioned mouthwashes start swimming across the oceans and onto store shelves. We've now got the first and second legal absinthes lined up, but there's going to be a first KOSG-type crap too. I can't wait to see what it turns out to be.

Me, too. This has been nothing short of a historic few weeks. Just because a few of us have become a snobs, no reason not to delight in a new era of Absinthe! I'm confident, some things are only just beginning.

Baby Steps....Most Americans who have even heard of absinthe have no idea what it should taste like, so it would be hard to cater on a general scale. Most of the makers of quality absinthe know that there is a demographic of folks like us that know, expect, and want what is currently available in Europe( and of course, more if some HG'ers can start producing on a small scale). It's just the beginning.

Well said. Hell, my peeps couldn't even eat or drink in some of the "white only" establishments 40 so years ago and look at us now!

Baby steps for sure and a change is a comin'!

"I read an article recently on the dangers of heavy drinking..Scared the shit out of me.So, that's it! After today, no more reading."

I'm sure there was also quite a bit of effort (and capital) put in just to get the government to review the standards and become more in line with the EU.

I would not be surprised if much of that capital came from the partners ar Viridian, since they include "partners Simon, Jerome and Leon Falic (whose major holdings include Duty Free Americas and luxury brands such as Christian Lacroix, Hard Candy, Urban Decay and the license to manufacture Perry Ellis fragrances and cosmetics); Jonathan Bonchick (formerly with Brown-Forman and currently with Duty Free Americas); and Eddie Soleymani and Leon Redensky (co-founders and Managing Directors of Lynx Capital Partners, LLC, an equity trading firm)."